Governance

ABMS is governed by a Board of Directors, which includes representation from each of the ABMS Member Boards and members of the public. These individuals are working and retired physicians and professionals from across the country who have a broad range of experience in patient care, health policy, business, and community service. There are currently 35 individuals serving on our Board of Directors.

Meet the Board of Directors Committees of the ABMS Board of Directors

The Board of Directors is organized so that a significant portion of its activities is conducted by its committees, each of which operates under a written charter. All committees report to the Board of Directors, and all significant findings of a committee are presented to the Board of Directors for review, discussion, and approval.

The Board of Directors oversees the activities of the ABMS management team. The ABMS management team and staff support the work of the ABMS Board of Directors and the ABMS mission.

ABMS Board of Directors

J. Brantley Thrasher, MD, FACS

Chair

ABMS Board of Directors

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J. Brantley Thrasher, MD, FACS

Michael R. Nelson, MD, PhD

Chair-Elect

ABMS Board of Directors

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Michael R. Nelson, MD, PhD

Warren P. Newton, MD, MPH

Secretary-Treasurer

ABMS Board of Directors

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Rebecca L. Johnson, MD

Immediate Past Chair

ABMS Board of Directors

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Rebecca L. Johnson, MD

Richard E. Hawkins, MD

ABMS President and Chief Executive Officer

Executive Leadership

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Richard E. Hawkins, MD

Michael Barone, MD, MPH

George B. Bartley, MD

Beth A. Bortz, MPP

Keith E. Brandt, MD

Sheila Bush

Jo Buyske, MD

Colleen M. Conry, MD

Kirk Frey, MD, PhD

Robert R. Gaiser, MD, MSEd

David B. Joseph, MD, FACS, FAPP

John L. Kendall, MD, FACEP

Carolyn L. Kinney, MD

Mitchell R. Lester, MD

Azra Ligon, PhD, FACMG

Jeffrey M. Lyness, MD

David F. Martin, MD

Furman S. McDonald, MD, MPH

Walter H. Merrill, MD

Mary (Mimi) S. Newell, MD, FACR, FSBI

Wendy K. Nickel, MPH

Brian Nussenbaum, MD, MHCM

Heather O’Hara, MD, MSPH, FACOEM, FACPM

Donald J. Palmisano Jr., JD, CAE

Carl W. Patten Jr., JD, MPH

Gary W. Procop, MD, MS

Thomas E. Read, MD

Randall K. Roenigk, MD

Tara Bristol Rouse, MA, CPHQ, BCPA

John A. Wilson, MD, FAANS, FACS

Amy E. Young, MD

Committees of the ABMS Board of Directors

The ABMS Board of Directors established committees to help it perform its responsibilities.

  • Executive Committee is a standing committee with corporate authority, responsible for acting with full authority on behalf of ABMS in the interim between meetings of the Board of Directors.
  • Accountability and Resolution Committee (ARC) oversees the application of due process and the accountability systems of, and organizational standards review process for, ABMS. ARC reports its recommendations to the Board of Directors.
  • Audit Committee recommends to the Board of Directors, on a periodic basis, the selection and retention of the independent certified public accountants to be engaged as ABMS’ independent auditors.
  • Awards Committee develops general policies regarding awards and honors administered by ABMS and submits such policies and specific recommendations for approval by the ABMS Board of Directors. In addition, the Committee selects, subject to the approval by the ABMS Board of Directors, the recipients of existing awards and honors.
  • Committee on Culture, Engagement, and Impact (CCEI) is charged with recommending initiatives across the ABMS community to advance quality of care for all, overseeing and evaluating implementation of Board-approved initiatives, maintaining and sharing an inventory of related ABMS and Member Board research and initiatives, serving as a resource for Member Boards, and collaborating with other ABMS committees.
  • Committee on Certification (COCERT) develops, proposes, revises, and enforces ABMS standards, policies, and programs of certification and subcertification by the Member Boards.
  • Committee on Continuing Certification (3C) develops, proposes, revises, and enforces the standards, policies, and programs for the maintenance of certification (continuing certification) programs of the Member Boards.
  • Database and Information Technology Advisory Committee (DITAC) provides oversight and guidance on policies and procedures related to the ABMS database and information technology.
  • Ethics and Professionalism Committee (EPCOM) provides guidance on policies and procedures related to the ethics and professionalism of physicians certified by the ABMS Member Boards.
  • Finance Committee monitors the financial integrity of ABMS, including the prudent investment and management of ABMS funds.
  • Governance Committee provides oversight of the governance functions, including nominations of the Board of Directors, all committees, and the boards of the controlled subsidiaries and controlled affiliates of ABMS. These functions include the development of policies, processes, and programs related to nominations, bylaws, and Board of Directors’ education and assessment.
  • Health Policy and Strategy Committee (HPSC) provides guidance on issues related to health and public policy as well as supporting the strategic advancement of ABMS board certification through research, analysis, and external engagement.
  • ABMS Stakeholder Council, at the request of the Board of Directors, the ABMS President and CEO, a committee, or upon its own motion, will review or propose strategic initiatives, policies, certification program reviews, and pilot program reports and provide written advice and recommendations to the ABMS Board of Directors regarding same.